In the play Hamlet there are two kings, both brothers, one dead because of the actions of another. Both the old and the new kings interpret this harsh murder very differently. William Shakespeare uses diction, imagery, and tone in the speeches of both kings to bring out these very different emotions about the same crime. When old Hamlet is speaking about the murder he describes it as, “Oh horrible, oh horrible, most horrible!” During his whole speech to young Hamlet, he upholds a very angry and revengeful tone.
He calls Claudius, his brother, an “incestuous, adulterate beast.” He feels very betrayed that “by a brother’s hand” he was killed and “cut off even in the blossoms of his sin.” This means that more than anything he is upset that Claudius, knowingly, killed him before he even got to repent for his sins, which condemned him to hell. Shakespeare also uses a great deal of imagery of the murder to show how upset and disgusted the ghost is of the crime and situation. The ghost, when describing the murder, refers to the poison poured in his ear as “leprous distilment,”cursed,” and “swift as quicksilver.” When he calls the poison “leprous distilment” Shakespeare is making a reference to the leper in the Bible that was never able to see outside the gates, which is actually how the ghost felt when he was murdered. He uses words like, “unhouse led,”disappointed,” and “unaneled” to describe the betrayal that old Hamlet felt from his own brother’s murder. It is obvious that the ghost feels that the murder was something that was not supposed to happen yet. Old Hamlet was a very proud king and when speaking of his life before the murder he refers to “me”, “I” and “mine,” and by no means will he “prey on garbage.” The king believes he was too good to die, and it was simply not time.
The Essay on King Hamlet Faith Ghost Laertes
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It is obvious from his tone and diction that he is very angry, resentful, and has a deep feeling of betrayal. The new king, Claudius, on the other hand has a different view on this very same murder. Claudius knows that the murder he has committed is wrong but does not want to give up all the new life he has gained. He refers to his new gaining’s as “my crown, my own ambition, and my queen.” It is obvious that he too is a very selfish man.
When Claudius is trying to confess, he cannot, because he struggles with “making his stubborn knees bow,” or his “heart with strings of steel be soft.” He is remorseful of his sin but, at the same time, is so pathetically proud. It is ironic, because he knows that he cannot repent without giving up all his new life. He even says, “my words fly up, my thought remain below words without thought never to heaven go,” but instead goes on with a heavy burden just to keep the life that he worked so hard to get. Shakespeare also shows Claudius’ confusion by asking many questions about him being forgiven. He asks, “Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens to wash it white as snow? ” As he summed up his whole speech in one sentence he says, “May one be pardoned and retain the offence?” This shows that yes, Claudius is remorseful, but wants it to all be taken off plate so that he may go on living the way he wants to in his brother’s shoes without being punished. Both Claudius and the ghost have very different views on the murder of old Hamlet, but it is very notable that both have many unsolved issues about the murder.
They both are struggling with pain and hurt from the event, and both have to find a way to have peace.
